The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
TestfnOnY.

Inc testimony Ol Uue lips 10 ialpoiCo Cotts"
What the heart realizes of this holy love the
lips were made to tell abroad. For this IS
the way God hath chosen to spread the tri-
umphs of his gospel. 1t is fully seen in the
scriptures that we are his witnesses and that
our God expects our testimony. The illuStra-
tions given add weight. A simple woman
brings together crowds of people to hear
Jesus-the simple telling of one disciple urges
another to come to Jesus. 1.-The Bride" says,
out the word "come" constantlya Nay, but
by description of what the Lord hath done
for and in us; by declaration that God hath
fulfilled his word in us; and that he is will
ing to do the same for those we invite Tes-
timony Of the grace Of an innermost saliva
tion is always in order, and is always to be
expected from those enjoyingit
l. Let it be fearlessly given. He wins IN
this race who testifies most boldly to what
secration was made without regard to conse-
quences, the testimony must now be launched
out, leaving the result to God. Some will
say, sdon't be so plain" or so "bold," or so
0rash," or so "fast," or so "anti-scripturaln
according to their own notionsl. Our bread
and butter may be endangered by our faith
fulness But still let us first seek the king
dom of God and His righteousness by a con-
slant declaration of His Righteousness in full.
filling promises in our souls. Let the bread
and butter go, beloved. The promised bread
and water Of the King is better "He that
feareth is not made perfect in love-"
2. Let it be lovingly given, and given
without discussion Some will desire to draw
YOU into discussion, some will say things
harsh and uncharitable. But let your stories
be in deepest simplicity and godly sincerity.
1t is well to say nothing about what any may
call you, or the fierce assaults that may be
n,,, l,cs nc
nesses, is to give out what we know in our
souls is accordant with the Holy Word Of
God. Then there will be the remembrance
that all to whom we speak need gentleness as
we ourselves have needed it, and enjoyed it
from our God His gentleness hath made us
great. 1t is all of love in God that we have
been guided so. God will use His love in US
to bring other souls to Himself.
8. But let it be pointedly and distinctly
given. Let people know that we mean entire
sanctiication as the work of the Holy Spirit
with the blood. Let no creeds hinder the
testimony, no preconceived opinions and no
ismatic religion. Some Of your communion
will say you 60 too far, and they will say
worse, but let them say on, beholding your
meekness and fear Some of your own fam
ily, your very husband, your wife, your dear
est one may sharply criticise, but take your
own course most decidedly to pour out the
testimony 10 tue peTleCU "OIh VI Iue Lolo
, out of loving heart saved to uttermost.
4. Be ready to give it always and in every
; place We 90 not say that You should give
it without the Spirit. The Injunction is to
be ''filled with the Spirit" We may there
fore walk in readiness, when the Lord opens
the way to 'tell the story" And if the Lord
! has given us the story to tell, the church
needs it much. Tell it, therefore, in the
church. One denomination needs it as much
as another. Let not, therefore, the fact Of
your being O Presbyterian or Baptist stop
! YOU from the testimony because it is not
common in your church. So much the more
they need it. And the more they need it the
harder it may be for you to tell it; because,
possibly, many will reject it, But tell the
story. Bold to speak, clear to define the
work scripturally as far as you know it.
| Tell it at home. Subject yourself to no
compromises. Let all at homo know and
feel the force Of your blessed life, and of its
| distinct and final separations from all things
; that offend.
s. Let your person lie dressed and your
! business carried on according to your pro-
| fession." Nothing will so hinder testimony
as inconsistency. Better be the most singu-
, lar person, better lose thousands of dollars
than put one obstacle in the way Of an in
! quirer after holiness. For this is a multi
| plying grace Each one saved to the utter
| most gains others-if his impressions from
| you are wrong, his results are seriously inn
| paired and the final scene on earth sadly
| diminished
But the greatest of all our testimony Of
| this grace is soul-union with Christ Jesus.
Lonely fellowship with Him, and walking in
| the Spirit Papers.